LTC 115-2009 Venetian Bridge Closure OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 115-2009 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti H. Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: April 30, 2009
SUBJECT: Venetian Bridge Closure
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to inform you of the full closure of the Venetian
Causeway from May 1, 2009 to May 30, 2009 for repairs to the East Bascule Bridge as part of the
Miami-Dade County (County) Venetian Bridge Rehabilitation Project (see Attachment 1, County
News Release for 4-23-2009). The East Bascule Bridge is located on the Venetian Causeway
between Belle Isle and Rivo Alto Island. The rehabilitation of the bridge will include major structural
repairs and will require closure of the bridge to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The
remainder of the work will be conducted on the underside of the bridge with minimal impact to traffic.
The County is developing a maintenance of traffic (MOT) plan to divert all traffic to the MacArthur
Causeway when traveling to and from the mainland via Miami Beach. The MOT includes the
utilization of electronic message boards that notify the public about the detour. Two electronic
message boards are already installed at each end of the Venetian Causeway notifying the motoring
public of the upcoming closure. The County is also coordinating with the United States (US) Coast
Guard to determine if the bridge will also be closed to boats.
A coordination meeting with County staff and Miami Beach Police, Fire, Special Events, and
Community Outreach Departments was held today. The City of Miami has agreed to respond to all
police and fire emergencies that occur to the west of the East Bascule Bridge. The Miami Beach
Police and Fire Departments will respond to non-emergency issues by accessing the Venetian
Causeway via the MacArthur Causeway. The Fire Department will also stage equipment west of the
East Bascule Bridge. In the event of a failure of the West Bascule Bridge, the Fire Department will
be able to access this equipment by boat and respond to emergencies. City staff will be closely
coordinating all activities with the County during this closure.
The remainder of the work for the Venetian Bridge Rehabilitation Project will consist of the structural
rehabilitation of the twelve (12) existing bridges on the Venetian Causeway. This includes major
repairs to the support beams and diaphragms, the deck underside and the support piers. The
construction will be completed within approximately eighteen (18) months. This rehabilitation project
may require temporary one way bridge lane closures for the delivery of materials.
The County is also managing a related but separate project called the Venetian Bridge
Reconstruction Project, which will consist of planning, design, construction, and public involvement
for the complete replacement of eleven (11) of the bridges and the partial replacement of one (1)
bridge on the Venetian Causeway. The design will include approach roadways, drainage, survey,
maintenance of traffic, utility adjustments, geotechnical investigations, lighting, permits, cost
estimates, and architectural details. The project is anticipated to begin in May 2009 and will be
completed within approximately three (3) years. Funding is available forthe planning and design
phase, but construction funds have not yet been identified.
LTC
April 30, 2009
Venetian Causeway Bridge Closure
Page 2 of 2
For more information, please contact Delfin A. Molins, the County's Public Information Officer, at
305-375-1682 or at DelfinCa~miamidade.gov.
Attachments:
1. County News Release for 4-23-2009
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For Immediate Release: Media Contact:
April 24, 2009 Delfin A. Molins
delfinlu~miamidade.gov
305-375-1682
305-781-1430
WEEK OF APRIL 25, 2009 THROUGH MAY 2, 2009
WEEKLY SPECIAL EVENT AND ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION/CLOSURE ACTIVITIES REPORT
DRIVE SAFELY!
SPECIAL EVENT:
No Special Event planned for this week.
Bicyclists please be advised that the Causeway Management reserves the right to convert the "Bicycle
Only" toll lane to vehicular usage depending on traffic congestion at the toll plaza.
ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION/CLOSURE ACTIVITIES:
Venetian Bridges Rehabilitation
Public Works Project No. 20070776: The twelve (12) existing bridges are located Venetian
Causeway, between North Bayshore Drive and Purdy Avenue will be rehabilitated. Two (2) of these
twelve (12) bridges are bascule spans. Presently, the bridges exhibit severe deterioration due to their
proximity to the very aggressive marine environment. In order to address these deficiencies a major
rehabilitation project is underway to repair the bridges. These repairs include the arch beams, deck
slabs, diaphragms and piers. The project once completed will eliminate the loading restriction for
vehicular traffic and enhance safety for the public and marine traffic. The rehabilitation project began
on April 13, 2009 and is anticipated to be completed in October 2010. The Venetian Causeway Tolls
will be enforced.
Mainline Closure:
The East Venetian Causeway Bridge will be closed to motoring, non-motoring and pedestrian traffic for
thirty (30) days. This closure is necessary to complete construction activities associated with the
rehabilitation of the bridge. The East Venetian Causeway Bridge is scheduled to close on Friday, May
1st and will re-open by May 31st, weather permitting.
Detour:
During the East Venetian Causeway Bridge Closure motorist are requested to follow the maintenance
of traffic or detour route through the MacArthur Causeway (SR A1A) when traveling to and from the
mainland to Miami Beach.
The above information is subject to change if the contractor's schedule is altered due to unexpected
circumstances.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 N.W. 1st Street 16th Floor Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-2960